Kizy took a small step towards grandma, before taking a second and third step, ultimately reaching in front of grandma.

Without saying anything, she just stood there for a moment before hugging grandma, her eyes tearing up.

Grandma, knowing how Kizy must be feeling after bottling up all her emotions, hugged her back, feeling equally sad for Kizy.

She too didn’t say anything, and just rubbed her back as well as head, trying to console Kizy.

Kizy took a deep breath, trying to push down the tears as well as emotions that were about to overflow.

After a moment, finally Kizy stepped back, looking towards grandma with a genuine smile.

“Thank you. Also, you don’t have to prepare anything special. Let’s just have a simple meal together.” Kizy said, the word ‘together’ making her feel warm.

“Okay. As you wish.” Grandma said while rubbing her back, before heading towards the dining hall, hooking her arm with Kizy’s.

Grandpa had a happy expression on his face. He then turned towards Nicole before rubbing her head affectionately.

“Let’s go.” He said, offering his arm.

Nicole happily took his hand and entered the kitchen with a bright smile, happy for both Kizy as well as her grandparents.

And though Kizy had told grandma to not prepare anything, grandma still ended up making some healthy snacks, including fruits.

The family of four had a hearty breakfast, making Kizy return to her original form for sometime.

“I’ll take my leave now. Let’s have another such meal soon.” Kizy said while standing at the gate, while Nicole was already sitting inside the car, intending to return to the company with Kizy.

“Sure. In fact you should visit us frequently. And don’t overwork yourself for that company.” Grandpa said.

Kizy just nodded before climbing inside the car, both she and Nicole leaving the old couple behind.

“I feel sorry for her. I feel that we have wronged her a lot.” Grandpa said to grandma while still looking at the disappearing car, his voice hinting at sadness.

“She had suffered. And is still suffering.” Grandma said with a sigh.

Being wife to the mafia king for decades, grandma knew the kind of pressure and tension one faced, something that Kizy was facing right now.

On the other hand, Kizy and Nicole were sitting in the back passenger seat when Nicole finally spoke up.

“Sorry for revealing his name.” Nicole said, knowing she should have at least asked or consulted with Kizy before doing something like that.

“You don’t’ have to be sorry. It’s just that, if first brother ever comes to know about this, I’ll be in great trouble. Especially if grandma or grandpa were to meet him directly, it would be a disaster.” Kizy said, looking out of the car.

“We can just ask him to fake this act for sometime. Later on once I find someone, I’ll tell grandpa and grandma that we broke up.” Nicole said, trying to think of something that would work out.

“He will never fake the act of loving someone.” Kizy said, her voice monotonous.

“Why? Didn’t we shoot that advertisement just two days ago? He did act over there. So what’s wrong in acting a little more and helping me out?” Nicole asked.

“That’s a completely different thing. Advertising was something professional, something that our company depended on. But this act gives him no reason to do so.

Love has never been fair with the first brother. Thus he has simply stopped believing in it. There is no more space for the term ‘Love’ in his life, even if it is fake.” Kizy said, still looking out at the trees passing by, thinking hard.

“Then what should we do? Should I just go back and confess that I have been lying all this time? Don’t worry, I’ll take the blame and tell grandpa that it was my plan and I was the one who forced you to convince grandpa about this acting.” Nicole said, looking dead serious.

“No no. Grandpa and grandma, both of them will be truly disappointed to know that. It would be better to find a perfect man for you soon and drop this act.” Kizy said, finally turning to look at Nicole.

“Then should I go and ask Victor? I know that this would be too much, but we have no option. If grandpa or grandma were to accidentally meet Victor, or discover that he lives here, then we will have no solution for it.

I am not telling him to act like he loves me, but I would just ask whether he could pretend to accept whatever lie I have told grandpa. He doesn’t have to do anything, but just say that I am the one pursuing him, and he has decided to give me a chance. Not like he has to stay with me forever. We can soon plan a breakup and maybe I’ll say that I am in great sorrow and don’t want to see my other man. What do you think?” Nicole asked Kizy, trying to formulate her own plan.

“Hmmmm. Let’s see.” Kizy replied before facing the window once again.

Soon they reached the company and were once again busy with the company matters.

*11 PM, VICTOR’s ROOM, MARKUS’s HOUSE*

Victor was busy folding his clothes when there was a knock on his door.

He turned to look towards the now half opened door through which Nicole was peeping inside.

“You can simply get inside instead of watching from there that way.” Victor said before resuming his work.

“Woah! You are folding clothes! Never expected a gunman to do such a domestic job.” Nicole exclaimed while walking in after shutting the door behind her.

“Is a gunman supposed to only shoot all the time then?” Victor asked sarcastically, without even looking at Nicole.

“No, not like that. I thought you would only be doing tough jobs like maybe fixing machines.” Nicole said while scratching her head, embarrassed at her own statement.

Something changed in Victor’s expression, but he didn’t look at Nicole.

———————-

Have a wonderful day ahead!!!

– Kizy